Irbid Governorate

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Location of Irbid Governorate

Irbid or Irbed(Arabic: إربد) is one of the governorates of Jordan. It is located north of Amman, Jordan's capital. Its capital is Irbid.

1 Nahias
2 Cities, Towns, and Villages
3 History
4 Notes

[edit] Nahias

Irbid is divided into 9 nahias:

Al-Aghwar Shamaliyyeh
Ar Ramtha
Bani Knana
Hariema
Irbid
Kora
Mazar Shamaliyyeh
Tayybeh
Wastiyyeh

[edit] Cities, Towns, and Villages

Aidoon,Al Hisn, Baleela, Kitim, Beit Rass, Bishra, Chitim, Dowgarah, En-Nu`aymeh, Habaka, Houfa Al-Westiyyah, Qumaim, Huwwarah, Imrawah, Ramtha, Sal, Samad, Shajara, Turrah,

Irbid, the "Bride of the North," is considered as one of the most beautiful Jordanian cities. Its population amounts to 650,000 and situated on a plain land, 65 k.m. to the north of the capital, Amman. It is situated in the north west of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, surrounded by fertile agricultural lands from north, east and south, Irbid was named “The Daisy” after the daisy flower, which grows in its plains. Irbid witnessed human settlements 5000 B.C., such as settlements of the Adomites, Ghassenids and Southern Arab civilizations.

[edit] History

It was distinguished by the Greek, Roman and Islamic civilizations leaving behind them historical and archaeological sites. Roman and Greek cities such as, Arabella (Irbid), Capitolias (Beit –Ras), Dion (Al Hisn) that contains the Roman artificial hill and smale Roman lake (water reservoar), The Ghanma family was the first to reside Al Hisn in the modern history in the sixteenth century, Gadara (Umm Qais), Pella (Tabeqt Fahel) and Abello (Qwailbeh) were established. They were members of the Decapolis: a pact that consists of the ten Roman cities in the area. Ghassenids had established their country in the north of Jordan covering Irbid, Golan and Horan plains. It was described as the most beautiful Syrian countries. Also it had the Islamic soldiers’ supplies. Christianity spread out there in the second and the third century A.D.

Irbid witnessed the Adomites and Ammonits civilizations. Its significance was reflected in the Helesnic age. With the missionary work of Islam, the Islamic opening armies achieved an advance. As a result, Sharhabeel Bin Hasnaa made a glorious Islamic victory in 13 A.H (634 A.D.). He opened Irbid, Beit-Ras and Umm Qais. The Islamic leader Abu Obideh Amer Bin Al-Jarrah was able to open Pella. In 15 A.H. (636 A.D.) and in the prime of these victories, Khalid Bin Al-Walid managed to crush out the Roman armies in the everlasting Yarmouk Battle. Consequently, he managed to put an end to the Roman existence. In 583 A.H (1187 A.D.) Saladin’s armies advanced to Hittin in which the most ferocious battle in the history of the Crusading war took place, This battle was followed by liberating Jerusalem and returning it back to the Islam sovereignty.

During this time, Irbid played an essential role as a strategic area during the Mamluke age especially in the field of serving the pilgrims’ caravans coming from Turkey, the north of Iraq and the south of Rassia. It was an important center for the communication net, which the Mamluke and a passageway to Egypt, Hijas and Palestine coast founded, especially during the time in which Irbid was linked with Damascus. This link has a positive effect on the cultural and scientific movement of Irbid, which was, as referred by the historical writings, connected with Damascus and Jerusalem. In addition to the spread of a number of scientists and Islamic Jurisprudence. The Islamic opening left many graves of the companions of the prophet Mohammed, many mosques and Islamic buildings such as Dar Assaraya (the former prison) which has been converted into antiquity museum, Hibras Mamluke Mosque, Irbid Mamluke Mosque and Saham Umayyed Mosque. Irbid governorate plays a significant role as it is part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which was founded by late King Abedullah Bin Al-Hussein whose banner was carried by late King Talal Bin Abedullah and late King Hussein Bin Talal. King Abedulla Bin Al-Hussein, the second, has kept on constructing the modern Jordan, Jordan of freedom and democracy, Jordan of Arab pride and Jordan of the Arab greater revolution.

[edit] Notes

Irbid governorate is characterized by its strategic site, its historical and archaeological significance and the economic role that it plays. Irbid is at the top of the Jordanian agricultural regions especially in the production of citrus, olives, wheat and bee-honey.